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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: Chaotic on June 13, 2011, 07:09:04 PM

Title: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 13, 2011, 07:09:04 PM
I have a 90 Samurai and at the moment all the lights are working except for the tail lights parking lights and side markers. the turn signals, brake lights, and emergency flashers as well as the head lights all work fine. I at first thought it was the combo switch, replaced it still the same result. I checked all the fuses in the fuse box and they are all good (replaced the ones that i thought were iffy). I have also checked to see if i was getting voltage in the switch. when the lights were off i had power, but when i turned on the lights to parking and full head lamps i found no power. I know there is a fusable link in the line but i would have no power if it were bad. Am i missing something .

Please help. ???
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: wildgoody on June 13, 2011, 09:01:13 PM
Sounds like the grounds, check them behind the lights, remove the screws,
clean under the screws and put them back on and give it a try

Suzuki lights are strange to American thinking, the wires are hot and the light
comes on when you flip the switch and it grounds the circuit, that's why you
had power when they were off

Wild
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Jluck on June 13, 2011, 09:09:08 PM
Also if your housings are just shot, you can get very nice replacements off eBay for pretty cheap.I ordered a set for a friend and it cured all his issues.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 14, 2011, 06:09:45 AM
Ok so i think i am at full understanding. I will do your suggestions and i greatly appreciate the help.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 14, 2011, 06:24:41 AM
I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but my insturment panel lights are not working as well. When i turn on the parking lights and head lights in the low beam position my bright light indicator is on.

Thanks again
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Drone637 on June 14, 2011, 10:23:21 AM
This is usually caused by a bad ground or a crossed wire.  I would check your grounds under the dash.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 15, 2011, 06:27:16 AM
OK all thank you for all your assistance. I have tried everything mentioned and even replaced some iffy connectors on some ground wires. I still see the same issues and now the bright light indicator is on at all times even with the key off and out. If you have any further ideas i am all ears.... next step is a mechanic and i do not look forward to that...
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: wildgoody on June 15, 2011, 07:45:35 AM
Does it look like anyone has added any wiring to the existing system?
Any added relays or lights or for that matter any electric changes, or
added a tachometer ?

Just thinking, BTW how long have you owned the vehicle?

Wild
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 15, 2011, 08:06:25 AM
I have owned this Samurai for almost 2 years. this issue just started when i replaced the dash. still have the same insturment panel and all just different dash. there were fog lights on the front bumper but i did not like the look of them and removed them at the same time i replaced the dash. they were direct connect to the battery through a switch though.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: wildgoody on June 15, 2011, 09:35:23 AM
Were there any ground wires going to the dash?
I kind of want to say the replacement has had something to do with it,
but I have never pulled the dash on a Samurai so I'm not sure what's
under there that could be a problem, but I would also think about pinched
wires too, or a wire that got skinned on some sharp metal edge

Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: segermech on June 15, 2011, 09:48:23 AM
I had the following.  Someone put a single filiment bulb in one of the taillights.  It caused a lot of issues.  It can short the parking light and brake light systems so check the bulbs and make sure double are double and single are single.  Also I had the hi beam indicator come on due to a blown fuse for the parking lights so double check that.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 15, 2011, 10:00:49 AM
OK, I will look at this again. I don't think that swapping the dash had anything bad to do with it but i will check all the wires again to make sure. If you all think of any thing more all suggestions are more than welcome.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Jluck on June 15, 2011, 10:23:25 AM
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 15, 2011, 11:16:28 AM
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.

Sorry what and where is the electrical green sheet.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Jluck on June 15, 2011, 01:37:40 PM
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.

Sorry what and where is the electrical green sheet.

if the Sammy's have one like trackicks it on the back of the gauge cluster. it is how the electric current is run to all the gauges and lights. I'm sure theres a more correct name for it I just don't know what its technically called.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 16, 2011, 04:17:48 AM
AH... outstanding. I will take a good look at that area. Yes it does have one, I just never thought of looking at it that closely. Thank you.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Jluck on June 16, 2011, 06:46:20 AM
that's what were here for. the day you posted this I tore down a sidekick cluster to make way for a custom dash and was looking closely at the green sheet on said cluster and there was mouse damage on it! directly through a metallic trac. I know I will check everyone now!
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 16, 2011, 09:00:28 AM
I also just finished installing a custum Dash in my '90... i absolutely love the look it gives the Samurai
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: oak_raid on June 17, 2011, 06:49:56 AM
I'll be interested to hear what you find.  I had this problem also (high beam indicator on at all times after replacing gauge cluster).  I got frustrated with it and ended up just taking the high beam indicator bulb out of the back of the cluster. 

Didnt think to check the green circuit board while I had it out though.
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: Chaotic on June 22, 2011, 11:10:30 AM
I have not gotten to that point just yet. I have replaced the front park\blinker lights and housings, I have cleaned and repaired the grounds on all the front, back and side markers it shows in the circut. I have a Saturday appointment with my mechanic to have him look through the wiring to see if he can locate it. Next step is the green board and\or replacing the rear housings. If he finds nothing then i am at a total loss........
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: cnodes on July 26, 2011, 06:02:26 PM
I had the same issue some time back on my 1994.  Zuk wiring is strange as someone mentioned a few comments back.  I installed a new digital radio and used the same power and "ground" wire from the analoge radio.  Come to find out, the ground is a power and it affected my lights!  It blew my mind.  I simply grounded my radio to the chasis and capped the ground wire coming from the sami harness.  That fixed it.  My wife simply asked the question on yahoo and found the answer...go figure.  Hope this is it and helps,
Clay
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: 86Sumo on July 27, 2011, 05:39:30 PM
Another thing you might want to double check is the fuse holder, I went through my sami and cleaned up all the fuses one day (I was bored and it didn't cost anything) and the next time I went to start it there was no spark. The fuse for the ignition wasn't making contact. I wiggled the fuse around and away she went.
Bob
Title: Re: Tail lights
Post by: BRD HNTR on July 28, 2011, 08:13:29 AM
The dash ground on 86-88 Samurai, affects clock cigarette lighter, turn signals, illumination control, lighting switch, wiper switch, rear defogger, and heater fan. 
Ack's Faq has a good color electrical diagram for 86-88 Samurai.http://www.acksfaq.com/sessionTest1b-.php (http://www.acksfaq.com/sessionTest1b-.php)
Do a search for categories, search phrase Samurai
 This is a color wiring diagram "Corey dice Daniels 1986-1988 Samurai Wiring Diagram (In COLOR!) 473"

Hope this helps.